Slender stems, 8 to 32 inches tall, topped from early summer to mid-autumn with the typical flowerheads children thread into crowns and bracelets: that is the oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), a herbaceous perennial as much at home in the wild as along a border edge. Give it full sun and it flowers on and on, asking almost nothing in return.
| Name | Leucanthemum vulgare or Chrysanthemum leucanthemum |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Type | perennial |
| Height | 8 to 32 inches (20 to 80 cm) |
| Exposure | full sun |
| Soil | rich to ordinary |
| Flowering | early summer to mid-autumn |
But the common daisy, or oxeye daisy, is a cute little herbaceous plant that is most often met in the wild.
For plants purchased in nursery pots, best is to plant in spring, from mid-spring to early summer.
It is also possible to proceed to sow directly in the ground starting anytime in early spring and mid-spring.
Daisies loves virtually all types of soil, and flower most when in full sun.
For the annuals that you’ll be growing from seed, sow directly in the plot starting in mid-spring, taking care to water regularly but not too much.
Daisies can be bought as young plants, raised from seed or simply split from a clump you already have. The route you pick mostly decides the month you get started.
| Method | When | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Plants bought in nursery pots | mid-spring to early summer | Put them out in spring, in a sunny spot |
| Direct sowing in the ground | early spring to mid-spring | Sow straight where the plants are to grow |
| Sowing annual types in the plot | From mid-spring onwards | Water regularly but not too much, then thin the seedlings |
| Crown division | Spring or fall | Split an established clump to make new plants |
Whichever method you choose, full sun is what brings the heaviest flowering.
Remove wilted flowers as they appear, since this will enhance production of new flowers.
Water in case of prolonged dry spells and heat waves.
This plant, which belongs to the Asteraceae family, offers typical cute flowers as it blooms.
It only calls for very little care (watering, cutting back once a year) and grows quite fast.
It is often encountered in flower beds or along edges, but it also finds itself perfectly paired with other flowers in garden boxes and bouquets.
A favorite among children is to gather daisies and tie the stems together to create beautiful wreaths to wear as a crown or bracelet. This was so common that in the early days of electronics, whenever identical components were connected in series, it was called a “daisy chain“.
Young, fresh daisy leaves can be added to your culinary preparations, especially to mixed salads.
Daisies are traditionally offered to best friends’ 5th wedding anniversary – do you know anyone celebrating this milestone today?
